NOT IN HIS POCKET.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 133, 7 June 1929, Page 9

NOT IN HIS POCKET.

THE POKENO RAILWAY.

HON. MR. TAVERNER'S REGRET

INSPECTION OP PROPOSED ROUTE

(By Telegraph.—Special to "Star.")

NGATEA, this day.

An inspection of the proposed route of the Paeroa-Pokeno railway was made to-day by the Minister of Railways, the Hon. W. B. Taverner, and a large party of members of Parliament and representatives of various local bodies interested in the project.

Leaving Auckland at 9 o'clock, the Minister was accompanied by the Minister of Health, the Hon. A. J. Stallworthy, and Messrs. A. M. Samuel, M.P. for Thames, H. R. Jenkins, M.P. for Parnell, G. C. Munns, M.P. for Roskill, A. W. Hall, M.P. for Hauraki, and W. R. Davidson, assistant chief engineer of railways. At Pokeno the party was joined by Mr. J. N. Massey, M.P. for Franklin and chairman of the Franklin County Council, Mr. W. Lee Martin, M.P. for Raglan, Mr. W. Marshall, Mayor of Pokeno, and members of the Pokeno Chamber of Commerce, headed by the president, Mr. J. Woodcock, Mr. F. Perkins, representing the Pukekohe Chamber of Commerce, Mr. F. S. Dyson, Auckland district engineer of Public Works, and Mr. A. P. Grant, local engineer of Public Works. ' Seven cars were required to take the party to Paeroa, where a luncheon was, given in honour of the Minister. Stops were made on the way at proposed station sites, and the party were impressed with the wide expanse of fertile country which the railway would serve. Speaking at Ngatea, Mr. Taverner said he was not able to tell the residents that he had the railway in his pocket and that he could give it'to them for the mere asking. A Voice: But you've got it in your pocket. "Such is,not the case," said the Minister, "but your representations are receiving full and sympathetic consideration. I have no doubt that as the result of the tour in front of me I shall gather a great deal of information that w.ill enable us to come to a decision satisfactory to you. I do assure you that a sympathetic view will be taken of your aspirations here. I realise the potentialities of the district and the possibility of the railway competing with motor transport.